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Trump wearing a mask

Why Trump Doesn’t Wear a Mask Why Trump Doesn’t Wear a Mask

“As any woman can tell you, the masks smear makeup. The president is afraid of makeup stains on his mask and unsightly smears on his photographed face.” —letter to The New York Ti…

Oct 6, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin

At a Military Cemetery, Trump Reflects on His Only War Hero

At a Military Cemetery, Trump Reflects on His Only War Hero At a Military Cemetery, Trump Reflects on His Only War Hero

He was the very model of a neighborhood podiatrist. For he could find the bone spurs that these losers’ doctors always missed. So if your name was on the list of those he needed to…

Sep 22, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Donald Trump

George Washington and the Cherry Tree—Updated George Washington and the Cherry Tree—Updated

Young George could not deny he felled that tree. His moral code would certainly forbid it. In such a situation, Trump would say, “I cannot tell a lie: Obama did it.”…

Sep 8, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Harris CBP

Birtherism 2.0 Birtherism 2.0

Trump spreads doubt about Kamala Harris’s citizenship.—news reports No citizen, though Oakland-born, Hints Donald and his claque— Just like Obama, culpable Of being born while bla…

Aug 25, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Trump with hands outstretched

Presidential Diagnosis Presidential Diagnosis

He tweets wacko theories. He rants and he raves. His language decay is steady. The question is asked: Is he falling apart— Or was he apart already?…

Aug 11, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Trump wearing a mask

Wartime President Wartime President

“Trump calls himself ‘wartime president’ over coronavirus pandemic.” —CBS “The Trump Administration is trying to block billions of dollars for states to conduct testing and contac…

Jul 28, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Confederate Flag

Donald Trump: Confederate From Queens Donald Trump: Confederate From Queens

Trump says he will fight efforts to remove Confederate statues and to change the names of military bases named after Confederate generals.—news reports No matter that they fought…

Jul 14, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Trump

Temper, Temper Temper, Temper

With SCOTUS rulings seen as Trump defeats, Trump answered with a burst of angry tweets. At West Point, he prepared to look like Caesar. Instead his ramp walk showed a fragile geeze…

Jun 30, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Donald Trump

Tough-Talking Trump Tough-Talking Trump

If he’s so tough, one asks, why did he hunker Inside that White House armor-plated bunker? With protests peaceful, why did it make sense To build a fence around the White House fen…

Jun 16, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin

A Fourth Inspector General Bites the Dust

A Fourth Inspector General Bites the Dust A Fourth Inspector General Bites the Dust

The IG had Pompeo in his sights. An IG’s independence is required— Or was. Pompeo needed just a word With Trump to get that pesky fellow fired.

Jun 2, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin

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